Falling For The Alpha

Chapter 5

I sipped into the most delicious hot chocolate that I have ever tasted as I watched some locals outside of the coffee shop that I was in as they walk by to start their day with smiles on their faces. 

Ah, I would be all smiles too if I could live in a place like this.

"Thinks looks like everything that I had imagined to be" I smiled, still staring out of the window at the people, and then my eyes wandered up at the architecture of the buildings here, "If anything, it looks better in reality than in my imagination" I added before looking at my brother who was still patiently waiting for the cup of coffee that he ordered with his arms crossed against his chest. 

Nate smirked at me and I didn't have to read his mind to know what he was thinking."See, I told you it was not going to be that bad" He said, "There is no need to waste your precious time thinking about someone who doesn't care about you" The tone of his voice grew harsher by the end of his speech making the smile on my face falter. 

My heart tugged painfully at the mention of my mate. Although my mind could accept what Nate just said, my heart had other ideas. As much as I tried not to think of that particular person, my mind keeps going back to him. 

And it's oh so frustrating. 

"Yeah you're right" I agreed in a small voice after a few seconds of silence, "I will be a fool if I miss this" I added, reminding myself. 

My brother probably noticed the change in my demeanor when he brought up about my mate because, for the next few minutes, we fell into painful silence. He was probably beating himself internally for ruining my mood. 

A waitress came up to our table and served the steaming cup of coffee that my brother had ordered. My brother cleared his throat uncomfortably as he reached towards the packets of sugar that were placed in a small tray on the center of the table, "So are you coming to that ball later?" He asked, changing the subject. 

I looked up at him as he ripped a few packets of sugar and dumped them into his cup of coffee before he started to stir it. 

I raised my shoulder, "Why would I come to that ball?" I asked, "I have already found my mate" I reminded him, stressing the word mate. 

Nate made a noise of disapproval, "Just to have some fun, Irina" He narrowed his eyes on me, daring me to say no to that, "Besides, when I attend the ball, what you will be doing here all alone?" He asked me, taking a sip of his coffee. 

"I would be with mom and dad" I answered without thinking much about it. 

Nate watched me like I had lost my mind, "Mom and dad are having their vacation too" He said, shaking his head at me in disapproval, "I couldn't remember the time they went out together for a holiday or something. So let's give them some privacy" He took another sip of the coffee. 

I pursed my lips. My father is a responsible gamma so he rarely leaves the pack borders. He dedicated his life to the pack. My mother was equally supportive of that so she never actually fussed over that. 

My parents

They deserved some private time. I looked down at my hot chocolate which was probably cold now. "Then I will just walk around Oxford Street," I said, raising my shoulders to shrug, "Or maybe I can video call Ilya, she wanted to see how London looks like too" I added, remembering my best friend. 

Ilya doesn't know anything about me finding my mate and she thinks that I am going on a vacation with my family. I knew that I should tell her everything since she is my best friend but I didn't have time to tell her everything in detail as I had to leave for London at very short notice. 

"No, you're coming with me" Nate commanded making me snap out from the train of my thoughts. I looked back at him and saw him pulling out a couple of cash bills and slamming them on the table, "Let's go" He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me up to my feet. 

My eyes widened in surprise as he dragged me out of the coffee shop, "Where are we going?" I asked him, keeping up with his ridiculous pace easily. 

Nate glanced at me briefly, "You need a dress" He stated, "You can't go to that ball without a dress" He said as if that is the most obvious thing on earth. 

Excuse me mister, who had agreed to go to that damn ball with you? 

"I don't think so-"

I stopped myself from saying anything further when Nate narrowed his eyes sharply at me. We had stopped walking now and the intense look that he gave me made me feel like I was doing something illegal,"Fine, do what you want" I slumped my shoulders in defeat. 

Nate smiled in victory at that and started walking again, dragging me along with him. "You're going to love it. I am sure" He promised to me, smiling to himself. 

And that's how we ended up in the most luxurious clothing store that I have ever been into. Nate picked out a shimmery green mermaid cut dress for me and paid for it even though I told him there's no need for him to buy that dress. 

I could get something forever 21 and I am totally fine with that. 

Nate didn't stop there. He took me to a salon to get my hair and makeup done. After a brief argument, I decided to do as he says without much fuss. He had decided to get me dolled up for tonight and no matter what I say, he wouldn't change his mind. 

Nate waited outside while the hairstylist curled my hair to my side and pinned it neatly, creating a glamorous look. She created a winged eyeliner with a red lip for my make up. 

I took a deep breath when I looked at myself in the mirror after the stylist left me and put on a fake smile. 

"Irina, come out now" I heard Nate yell from outside. 

I rolled my eyes at his impatience and walked out of the room. Nate was looking at his phone when I approached him. I cleared my throat to get his attention and he looked up from his phone and his eyes widened. 

He slowly stood up from the chair where he was sitting and looked at me, "Woah, you look stunning sis" Nate complimented genuinely, "Here let me take a picture" He said, holding his phone in front of him to snap some pictures. 

"Smile" He urged when I stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to react. 

I sighed, "I can't believe you're making me do this" I muttered under my breath but smiled anyway, posing for that picture. 

"Just live a little okay?" He grinned, snapping the pictures and seizing the moment forever. 

Nate had changed into a designer suit as well and styled his hair neatly. I asked him to take a selfie with me suddenly feeling like I have to capture this moment as well. 

Nate and I left for the hotel after that where the ball was being held. Normally I would have been excited about something like this but what happened a day before this made everything seem like nothing to me. 

I walked next to Nate into the ballroom feeling a little overdressed but when my eyes fell upon other ladies there, I immediately relaxed. 

They all were wearing beautiful dresses as well. 

My brother walked me towards one of the sitting areas at the corner of the ballroom, "I am going to grab us something to eat" He said, pushing my shoulders down, "You sit here and enjoy the party" He said with a smile. 

I looked around at the wolves around me anxiously and then looked up at me, "Fine" I said, sitting at the edge of the sofa, "But make it quick alright" I warned sternly. 

Nate grinned at me and nodded his head at me before leaving me there. I sighed and once again let my eyes wander around the huge ballroom. Everyone looked like they were having the time of their lives.

I wished I could be carefree like them as well. 

Knowing that I'd probably look like a loser if I sat here all alone without anyone next to me. So I did what anyone in my place would do. I pulled out my phone from my purse and started scrolling through Twitter. 

"Hi" I heard someone say and I looked up from my phone to see if this person was talking with me. 

My eyes landed on a fine young man, standing there in front of me. His eyes were trained on me so I assumed that meant that 'hi' to me. 

"Hey" I smiled, not wanting to look like a rude person. 

The young man smiled at me. He looked friendly and harmless but I knew that looks can be deceiving. He wouldn't try to harm me or anything here in a room full of werewolves and even if he did, I'd tackle him to the ground in less than a second. 

"Enjoying the party?" He asked, taking the seat next to me. 

"Not really" I answered him honestly, looking away from him. 

He chuckled softly at that, "That's not something that I had expected" I heard him say and a small smile graced my lips as well, feeling comfortable with the vibes that he was giving me, "If you're not enjoying the party then why are you here?" He asked me curiously. 

I turned my head to the side and looked at him, "That's none of your business but since I am in a nice mood" I paused with a friendly smile as well, "My brother dragged me here" I groaned and he chuckled. 

His chuckle was so infectious that I found myself laughing with him as well. 

"You're beautiful," He said suddenly, his eyes were trained on me. 

The smile on my face faltered a little at that. Why I didn't get someone like him as my mate. My life would have been so much easier and happier. 

"Thank you," I said after a few seconds of silence, "You look dashing as well" I complimented him as well. 

He did look attractive. 

"Where are you from?" He asked me. 

And that's how we started a comfortable conversation. It turns out he is from Canada as well and he belonged to the Red Moon Pack. I also learned that he is a warrior wolf just like me. 

We were talking about some tricks in combat when a delicious smell that I would recognize anywhere in this world wafted into my nose. 

I tensed up immediately. Alpha Xander was here as well and that didn't make me happy at all. My eyes darted around the room to see if I could locate a set of amber eyes in the sea of wolves. 

"Are you okay?" Simon asked me, noticing that I was looking around anxiously. 

I chuckled nervously, still darting my eyes around the ballroom, "Yeah, I just thought I smelt-" 

"Well well, what do we have here?" 

The hair on the back of my neck stood straight when I heard his bass-baritone voice. Simon immediately sprang to his feet. From the corner of my eyes, I watched Simon as he bowed his head down in respect. 

"Alpha Xander, a pleasure to meet you," Simon said, greeting the big bad alpha politely. 

My wolf stayed silent, unlike the last time we met him. Maybe she realized that we are not mated to the nicest man on earth now. 

My heart was beating wildly against my chest and I started fidgeting, suddenly nervous to face him again. I knew I had to look at him sooner or later. How could I avoid him in this huge but at the same time, small ballroom? 

I slowly lifted my eyes to look at him. My breath got caught in my throat when my eyes landed on him. 

So beautiful yet so deadly. 

He was wearing a suit as well and he looked really handsome in it. He had combed his hair back this time and I couldn't help but notice that he looked even better in this hairstyle. 

His amber eyes scanned all over my face and his lips pulled into a half-smirk. 

"Hi again, Irina" He grinned at me, flashing his pearly white teeth at me.